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Meniscus Research Paper

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Purpose of the meniscus
The meniscus acts as a shock absorber for the knee by spreading compression forces from the femur over a wider area on the tibia. The medial meniscus bears up to 50% of the load applied to the medial (inside) compartment of the knee. The lateral meniscus absorbs up to 80% of the load on the lateral (outside) compartment of the knee. During the various phases of the walking cycle, forces shift from one meniscus to the other, and forces on the knee can increase to 2 - 4 times body weight. While running, these forces on the knee increase up to to 6 - 8 times body weight. There are even higher forces when landing from a jump. The important role of the meniscus in force transmission can be seen when the menisci are removed. …show more content…

Most commonly it is impossible to fully extend the knee; more accurately described as stiffness (termed 'pseudo locking') due either to a small effusion (requiring increased force to bend the tense joint capsule) or to pain inhibition as the femoral condyle compresses the torn meniscus. True locking is less common, and suggests a bucket-handle tear, with the torn fragment preventing full extension. There is a history of sudden inability to fully extend the knee, with a rotational flexion/extension 'trick' required to regain full extension. Weakness, grinding, instability or giving way rarely result from meniscal pathology.” (Racgp.org.au, …show more content…

Magnetic field strength is proportional to the speed at which the charge moves and the size of the charge. Protons are made up of 3 basic properties, positive electric charge, a very small mass and spin. A protons charge is extremely small although the speed at which is spins is extremely quick. This creates a magnetic field that can be detected. About 70% of the human body is comprised of water and water is the largest source of protons of any substance within the human body. This is followed by fat. The direction of the protons magnetic field is randomized when no magnetic field is applied. Similar to a compass, the magnetic field that the proton creates can be aligned when another large magnetic field is introduced. In MRI this field is known as B0. (Simplyphysics.com,

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